Some weddings are elegant. Some weddings are traditional.
Jenny and Steve's wedding at Newton Park Farm was neither of those things. It was a festival.
From the moment I arrived, it was clear this day had been carefully planned to reflect who they are as a couple. Colourful bunting stretched across the barn, fairy lights twinkled from every beam, fresh flowers decorated the tables and aisle, and photographs from festivals they'd attended together over the years were displayed around the venue.
During the speeches, it was revealed that they'd been to more than twenty festivals together, which suddenly made perfect sense of everything around us.
The atmosphere was relaxed, personal, and completely unique to them. The only thing that wasn't following the plan was the weather.
Dark clouds rolled over the countryside throughout the morning, and despite everyone's hopes for an outdoor ceremony, the British summer had other ideas. Thankfully, Newton Park Farm's beautiful rustic barn provided the perfect setting, and before long everyone had settled into the change of plans.
When I met Jenny during preparations, she was understandably feeling a little nervous. Wedding nerves are completely normal, especially when the weather starts doing its own thing. Thankfully, once hair and makeup were finished and she stepped into her incredible dress, everything started to come together.
And what a dress it was.
The lace detailing, delicate fringe and relaxed bohemian style fitted the festival theme perfectly. It was unusual, stylish, and completely suited both Jenny and the atmosphere they had created for the day.
Meanwhile, Steve wasn't exactly hiding his nerves either.
When I checked in with him before the ceremony, he demonstrated his stress levels by holding one hand horizontally and the other vertically, explaining that nervousness should be about here, but he was currently somewhere up there. Thankfully, he was laughing while saying it.
The ceremony itself was full of warmth and emotion.
Escorted by her two sons, Jenny made her way down the aisle while Steve watched from the front of the room. As soon as he saw her, he couldn't stop smiling. In fact, he spent much of the ceremony quietly repeating how incredible she looked.
A few moments later, it was official.
Rings exchanged.
First kiss shared.
A room full of cheers.
And two very relieved newlyweds.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed drinks while live saxophone music filled the barn with familiar tunes. The atmosphere felt exactly how Jenny and Steve had hoped it would feel: relaxed, welcoming and full of personality.
The weather continued to keep us on our toes throughout the afternoon.
Every photographer develops a slightly unhealthy obsession with weather forecasts on wedding days, and this one was no exception. We managed to find just enough dry weather to get everyone outside for a group photograph before the rain returned.
Afterwards, we improvised.
Family photographs moved indoors, umbrellas appeared, and everyone simply rolled with whatever the weather decided to do next.
When the rain eased again, I took Jenny and Steve outside for a short portrait session around the grounds. Armed with a clear umbrella and a good sense of humour, they embraced the conditions completely. The resulting photographs felt authentic to the day itself – not perfect sunshine, but real memories of a wedding that refused to let a little rain spoil the celebration.
The evening continued with heartfelt speeches, plenty of laughter and a barbecue feast that fitted the festival theme perfectly.
Then came the first dance.
Or rather, what started as a first dance.
The couple began with a slow dance before surprising everyone by launching into Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop The Feeling". Guests gathered around the dance floor cheering them on as Jenny and Steve showed off some impressive moves.
Just when everyone thought the performance was over, Steve lifted Jenny into the air and spun her around the dance floor, creating one of the most memorable moments of the entire day.
It was unexpected, hilarious and completely them.
Exactly the kind of moment that makes every wedding unique.
Jenny and Steve's wedding was a wonderful reminder that the best weddings aren't always the ones that go exactly to plan. Sometimes they're the ones where everyone embraces whatever the day brings, laughs through the unexpected moments and focuses on what really matters.
Rain or shine, this festival-inspired celebration was full of personality, family, laughter and love from beginning to end.
Congratulations, Jenny and Steve.
